The Documentation Center of Cambodia held the second genocide conference which set

to address the topic of genocide on November, 24 2010, at the Institute of Technology of

Cambodia, Phnom Penh.

The term genocide is often debated among scholars, leading to disagreements on whether

genocide took place during Democratic Kampuchea. For many Cambodians, they have long

used the term genocide (ampeu bralai pouch sas) to describe the killings by the Khmer Rouge

regime. This does not imply a consensus or a clear understanding of the term’s legal and

historical conceptualization among Cambodians however. Further, the legal definition as

defined in the Genocide Convention of 1948 has been criticized by scholars for being too

restrictive and broad.

This conference was attended by different ethnic minority groups: Cham Muslim women,

religious leaders, Buddhist monks, priests, members of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom, the

Vietnamese minority, and hill tribes accounted for approximately 300 from 16 cities and

provinces: Kandal, Preah Sihanouk, Pursat, Kampong Cham, Mondul Kiri, Ratanakiri, Prey

Veng, Kratie, Preah Vihear, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Koh Kong, Takeo, Banteay

Meanchey, Kampong Chhnang, and Phnom Penh.

The panelists in the morning session included William Smith, International deputy

Co-Prosecutor and Chan Dara Reaksmei, National deputy Co-Prosecutor, Chuor Keary

of Royal

Academy of Cambodia, Siv Thuon, DC-Cam’s genocide education national teacher,

Kok-Thay Eng, DC-Cam deputy directory. The afternoon session included Youk Chang’s

speech and film screening and discussion by Chhay Bora and mediated by Farina So.

These conferences serve several purposes. First, it will help to clarify the term genocide.

Second, the collection of oral histories during the interview will help to build a more

complete history of Democratic Kampuchea. Lastly, it is hoped the conferences will

promotefurther discussion on Democratic Kampuchea and participation in the

truth-seeking process.